Historic Murals in Coldwater, Ohio

Today, a look at historic murals in the village of Coldwater, Ohio, located in west central Mercer County. This village has a rich industrial history and has several murals around town.

Coldwater was originally named Buzzard’s Glory, named after David Buzzard, the owner of a general store. The village was incorporated as Coldwater in 1883.

Coldwater’s historic mural was completed in July 2013, for the town’s 175^th Anniversary.

Coldwater, Ohio, historic mural. (photo by Karen)

It is mounted on the east side of the High School and is visible when driving through town on State Route 118.

Coldwater, Ohio, historic mural (2025 photo by Karen)

The artist was the late Dan Keyes of New Bremen, with Patrick Keyes and Barbara Tompary. Dan painted several historic murals in other local towns.

Coldwater, Ohio, historic mural, artist Dan Keyes. ( photo by Karen)

This mural shows individuals who played a part in Coldwater’s history, local landmarks, and past Coldwater industries. 

Left side of Coldwater’s mural. (2025 photo by Karen)

Right side of Coldwater’s mural. (2025 photo by Karen)

The plaque in front of the mural:

Plaque in front of Coldwater’s historic mural. (2025 photo by Karen)

In recognition of those who came before us; to those who first tread Coldwater Creek; who basked in Buzzard’s Glory and brought with them a village…to those who call themselves…
“THE CAVALIERS”
The First Settlers – The Shopkeepers – David Buzzard – Weamer Bros Butter Tub – Wooden Corn Silo
The Farmers – Buckeye Overalls – Hemmelgarn Eggs – Pet Milk – New Idea Manure Spreader
Holy Trinity Church – The Old Methodist Church – The Queen Fire Department – The Ministers
The United States Armed Forces; WWI – The Nickel Plate Railroad – The Veterans of American Legion
Coldwater High School – Championship Band and Sports – Ralph Weigel, Major Leaguer
The Gazebo in Memorial Park – Old Pet Smokestack – The Old Coldwater High School
Old City Hall – First Coldwater Hospital – The People’s Bank
The Sisters of Mercy – The Knights of Columbus – The Police – Marshall Spain James and “Von”
Donated by the Desch/Sowar Family Foundation
Artist: Dan Keyes

Details are cleverly tucked into the painting.

Close-up: Weamer Bros, Pet Milk, Hemmelgarn Eggs, Buckeye Overalls (2025 photo by Karen)

Close-up: New Idea manure spreader. (2025 photo by Karen)

Dan and Patrick Keyes painted another mural in Coldwater in 2014, on the side of a building in Memorial Park, as an “Arts in the Parks” project.

Mural by Dan Keyes in Coldwater’s Memorial Park. (2025 photo by Karen)

A patriotic mural adorns the shelter house at the Coldwater VFW Post 5135 Bailey-Shockman, painted by artist Caylah Cole. This was the first mural painted by Cole.  

Patriotic mural at VFW Post 5135 Bailey-Shockman, by artist Caylah Cole. (2025 photo by Karen)

Coldwater has another historic mural, but it is not an outdoor mural. This mural is located inside their Post Office. The Post Office was constructed in 1940 and is located at 101 East Main Street.

In an effort to make artwork accessible to all people, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Section of Painting and Sculpture allocated monies for art and sculptures in newly constructed post offices, those constructed between 1934 and 1943. The idea was to showcase the best possible art in those federal buildings.  During those years, which was during FDR’s New Deal, 71 post office projects were completed in Ohio. Over 1300 murals and 300 sculptures were commissioned nationwide. 

Coldwater’s Post Office mural was painted in 1942 by Joep Nicolas and is entitled “Coldwater Activities.” The canvas mural is in three sections and was glued to the west wall of the Post Office lobby in 1942. It was taken down and professionally restored in 2010.

Mural “Coldwater Activities,” 1942, inside Coldwater Post Office. (2025 photo by Karen)

The main theme of Coldwater’s Post Office mural shows the working class, with people picking cabbage, plowing with horses, a woman with a sheaf of grain, people carrying sacks of grain, and a mason building a brick structure. Birds fly with letters in their beaks.

Close-up: Left side of “Coldwater Activities” mural, inside Coldwater Post Office. (2025 photo by Karen)

Close-up: Right side of “Coldwater Activities” mural, inside Coldwater Post Office. (2025 photo by Karen)

Still another town with murals that tell their history.

Sources: Country Living, “Celebrated Art May Be as Close as Your Post Office,” Vol. 52, No. 4, Jan 2010, p.16. and The Daily Standard, Our Old Bookcase, “Coldwater Post Office History Remembered,” Joyce Alig, undated. And The Daily Standard, “Historic Mural to Get Expert Care,” 5 May 2010.